Tagged: “Ordination”

While the beginning and ending of a ministry may be hard to pin-point, there a certain milestones along the way: Acceptance and graduation from seminary, visiting the RSCC and MFC, and internships. One of the most celebratory of these milestones is the rite of ordination.

Rev. Andrew Millard and Walter at the end of his internship at the Fellowship of the Peninsula in Newport News, VA

On April 18th at 3:00 pm, I will be ordained by three different UU congregations. The Unitarian Universalist of Richmond is my home congregation. This is where I first came to love our faith and where the first calls of UU ministry were heard. Rev. Jeanne Pupke was my minister and my mentor and encouraged me to pursue the path of ministry at Meadville Lombard Theological School. There I met so many wonderful people who were all on similar paths for the faith, each with their own unique gifts. During my internship with the Richmond congregation, I was guided not just by Rev. Pupke, but by all the members of the staff: Rev. Sherman Logan, Rev. Sue Sinnamon, Rhonda Hodder, Desiree Woodson and others. The congregation was both graceful in helping me over hurdles and congratulatory when those hurdles were cleared. It was a wonderful 2 years in Richmond.

Bob Denniston, Nancy Brown and supporters at the US Supreme court demonstrating against gerrymandering

After Richmond I served for a year and the Fellowship of the Peninsula in Newport News, VA. Rev. Andrew Millard helped me to appreciate the different dynamics of a smaller congregation and DRE Joanne Dingus helped me with engaging the youth of the congregation. We worked through white supremacy training and raised a Black Lives Matter banner on our building. I learned about teaching adult education for the congregation and celebrated my first UU Christmas with them.

For the last year and a half, I have been working with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VAin their pastoral and social justice ministries teams. The congregation has weathered some hard times recently and their resilience is clear. It has been awe-inspiring to work with the dedicated individuals that make up Arlington UU, who have taught me the importance of collaboration, clarity and kindness. Interim minister, Rev. Terasa Cooley has been both a mentor and colleague to me and has been a wonderful person to work with. The staff of the Arlington congregation have become like family to me and I have enjoyed all of collaboration between us.

The one thing I have learned is that ministry is not done alone. There are so many people who have loved me into ministry and I want to share my ordination with them all. However, there are so many people who want to attend, but are prevented from doing so due to travel costs. Usually congregations will help out with travel expenses for those participating in the service, and there will be some help in that regard. However, I would like to minimize the costs to the congregations so that they can put their resources towards their mission. All three of the congregations I have worked with are involved with major renovations or capital campaigns. Additional funding for an ordination has been hard to find.

That’s why I need your help. Any donation you can make will help offset the costs of the ordination service and make sure that my out of state ministerial colleagues will be able to attend. I am estimating the air fare alone for all of those flying in will be over $2,000.00. If I can raise that much money it will help defray the costs from the congregation and give those who have loved me into this ministry an opportunity to be with me on this most special of occasions.

An ordination 25 years in the making!

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland, MI (UUFoM), is honored to ordain John Eric Severson to the Unitarian Universalist ministry at an ordination ceremony on March 29, 2020. UUFoM also will be installing Eric as its called minister at this event.

Ordination is an essential component in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, occurring after an individual has completed formal training and has been accepted into preliminary fellowship as a UU minister by the denomination. Ordination is the final step that sets aside the ordinand as clergy and allows the title of “Reverend” to be bestowed.

Eric will be joined by congregants, family, friends, UU and interfaith clergy, and by those who have played an important role in his journey to becoming a UU minister. Your support of this campaign will help make this a meaningful and memorable event to mark Eric’s formal entry into service as a Unitarian Universalist minister.

Funds for this campaign will be used for food and refreshments at the ordination/installation, compensation for guest musicians, and to support travel and lodging for clergy traveling from outside of the area. Any funds exceeding ordination needs will be split between a local food security organization and the fellowship’s endowment fund.

We are grateful for any amount you might give. Thank you!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ordination/installation has been postponed until gathering in person is safer for everyone. Thank you once again for your donations!

Sierra Foothills UU (SFUU) and the UU Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF) are honored to co-ordain AJ van Tine to the Unitarian Universalist ministry at an ordination ceremony on March 28, 2020. SFUU will also be installing AJ as their called minister at this event.

Ordination is an essential component in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, occurring after an individual has completed formal training and has been accepted into preliminary fellowship as a UU minister. Ordination is the final step that sets aside the ordinand as clergy and allows the title of “Reverend” to be bestowed.

AJ will be joined by congregants, family, friends, UU and interfaith clergy, and by those who have played an important role in his journey to becoming a UU minister. Your support of this campaign will help make this a meaningful and memorable event to mark AJ’s entry into service as Unitarian Universalist minister.

Funds for this campaign will be used for food and refreshments at the ordination/installation, compensation for guest musicians, and to support travel and lodging for clergy traveling from outside of the area. Any funds exceeding our ordination needs will be added to our offering collection for the Living Tradition Fund.

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, it is the privilege and responsibility of the congregation to ordain a minister.

Following this tradition, the ordination of Justin McCreary is sponsored, with excitement, deep love, and respect, by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson, Mississippi. UUCJ would like to share this special privilege with the many individuals, organizations, and churches who have benefited from Justin’s passion, energy, and encouragement through the years. Your generous donation will be used for the ordination ceremony of Justin as he has been an example of a liberal faith minister in the heart of Mississippi.

Any funds raised above the needs of this ordination will go to benefit the Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund in alignment with the first Principle of UUA beliefs.

On June 9th at 5 pm, Rachael Hayes and Shari Halliday-Quan will be ordained to Unitarian Universalist ministry by the Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York. Surrounded by family, friends, religious professionals of many callings, and members of other local UU congregations, Rachael and Shari will have the joy of celebrating this momentous occasion in the life of a minister. We know that not everyone who would like to be there can attend, and we will livestream the service so others can join from afar.

Many congregations and individuals have helped form them as ministers, and for that past support, we thank you. We’d love your support now in making this ordination and celebration possible. When we talk of the costly life of faith, we generally mean something else, but make no mistake–food, drink, music, photography, printing, childcare, travel expenses for the preacher, etc. do add up. Your generous donations will help make this gathering possible, and donations of any amount are humbly received with gratitude. Any additional funds beyond our expenses, along with the offering taken at the service, will be split between organizations supporting UU ministries.

Pocatello Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is honored to ordain Jennifer “Jenny” Peek on September 30, 2018. Pastor Jenny, soon to be Reverend Jenny, came to serve our small congregation in the Rocky Mountains slightly less than a year ago, having entered preliminary fellowship after completing her M.Div. at Meadville Lombard. She has brought to us her warm spirit and appreciation and knowledge of UUA principles and sources. With her leadership we are making new connections–to other UUA congregations and to other faith traditions in our region. For the joyful occasion of ordaining Jenny, we will bring to our remote location in the Rocky Mountains, UUA clergy from across the nation. This is an unparalleled event in our history and a significant stretch for our budget. We welcome help from all UUs!

Supporting a liberal place for religious exploration in our conservative state and community is a worthy mission. The Pocatello Unitarian Universalist Church is unique in our local community. We do a lot to engage our community with a minimal resource. Having a new minister with us is a great honor and supporting this ministry empowers our strong UU voice in this diverse religious community.

The Pocatello Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has been without a minister for most of its history. As our minister, Pastor Jenny will continue to promote the goals of PUUF and our liberal faith, and its good works, in Pocatello and Southeast Idaho.

PUUF is an active and full participant with other faith traditions in our area who are united in charitable and social justice activities through the Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship (PVIF). PVIF consists of over 25 different local faith traditions including many Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Bahai, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Buddhist and others. In addition, PUUF is active with the LGBTQ organization “All Under One Roof”, Too Great 4 Hate, Family Services Alliance, Citizens Climate Lobby, National Public Radio, and many others. Our religious exploration committee meets biweekly to explore many topics within religion, spirituality and social justice.

The money we collect with through this campaign will be used to pay the expenses of bringing guest participants to Pocatello for the ordination. Our estimated expenses will be nearly $10,000. We have already raised about $2,500 in local donations, another $2,000 pledged by members, and many of our members are providing B&B accommodations in their homes to help reduce the expenses. We need to raise at least $4,000 through this Faithify project to make up the difference. Any funds collected beyond what is needed for the ordination will be added to our Fellowship Mission & Ministry fund. This fund will be used to help with our minister compensation while the membership in the congregation grows.

We have invited other nearby congregations to join us. Those who have already enthusiastically embraced this event include the UU Church in Idaho Falls, the UU Church of Ogden, and the Magic Valley UU Fellowship in Twin Falls.

You can learn more about our Pocatello UU Fellowship by visiting www.PocatelloUU.org

What some of our members have said:

“Being able to create a contract with Pastor Jenny Peek a year ago has returned us to professional leadership. She has actively participated in many community groups and endeavors, per her contract. Our UU presence and visibility in this community have increased substantially.” – Becky H.

“We do a lot with a little. Having a new minister with us is a great honor and supporting this ministry supports our continued UU voice in our diverse religious community.” – Ann S.

“Survival of PUUF depends on continued growth of its members and financial help when special events as the ordination of our pastor occurs. Your support helps provide a presence and to sustain a liberal religious community in a very conservative state like Idaho.” – Bob G.

“She has the enthusiastic support of the Pocatello Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship’s members. In the past year, we have come to know Pastor Jenny, and she embodies the principles of the Unitarian-Universalist faith.” – Jeff S.

The worthy process of ordaining a minister is costly to both the individual and their congregation. As a liberal religious association we welcome all people and all levels of contribution into our churches. Some people give generously of their presence, some of their time, some of their financial resources.

We ask now that you donate a meaningful monetary amount to assist Cindy Pincus and First Unitarian Society of Denver to complete this faith journey in a good way. Hosting an ordination will include costs like stipends for good speakers, money for healthy food and drinks, payment for use of beautiful buildings, and gifts of liturgical elements and robes for the ordinand to do her job fully and well.

Any extra money will be split evenly between two charities: one to support retired ministers who have led this faith well, and the other to support Queer Nature; a queer-run nature education and ancestral skills program serving the local LGBTQ+ community.

It has been my deep joy and privilege to prepare for the role of a lifetime- that of a Unitarian Universalist minister. After several years of study and service, I will be ordained on June 10th, 2018 at the 4th Universalist Society in New York. Your support will allow me to fund the reception, photography, printing and other costs associated with this milestone celebration, which is open to the public. I am so excited to share this event with you!

So many people have shaped this journey- dedicated members of congregations, mentors, teachers, ministers and religious educators, and countless friends from all areas of my life. If you know me from the various ministries I have served- in Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut- if you have been touched or inspired by me, if you have worked alongside me, I thank you for your support of this special day in my vocational life.